Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
My rating: 5 stars
This book tells the story of apartheid in South Africa. It tells an eye-opening and beautiful tale in succinct and beautiful English. I read this 300-page book in about 24 hours because I enjoyed it so much. I appreciate Paton’s short sentences that communicate well through good verbs.
The book is divided into three parts, each with its own focus. Written in 1948, it covers themes such as urban disillusionment, the nature of home and family, racial reconciliation, and one Africa. Abraham Lincoln’s story plays a central, though brief, role in the narrative.
One cannot help but wonder what Paton would think of today’s South Africa. It is still filled with problems, but the harsh social structures are torn down for the most part.
Paton started his career in the prisons. He went on to help found a liberal political party in South Africa and continued writing about his native land. He spoke in Nelson Mandela’s defense during Mandela’s trial.
Paton squarely strikes the chord of the tragedy and of the hope in the South African national tale. He opened the eyes of many in 1948. Unfortunately, it took another couple generations for his work to be completed in justice.